# NTSB FTW88DQA01: Aerotek Pitts S2S, N5333N, El Paso, TX, May 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1988, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Coordinates: 31.640071, -106.269752 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6401&lon=-106.2698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DQA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DQA01

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE AEROBATIC MANEUVER IN A MANNER WHICH INSURED ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE AT THE TERMINATION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON AN AEROBATIC DEMONSTRATION FLT. AS HE WAS COMPLETING AN OVER-THE-TOP MANEUVER, THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND AT HIGH SPEED, THEN TUMBLED INTO A LAKE BEFORE COMING TO REST. WITNESSES RPRTD THAT THE PLT HAD BEEN CONSISTENTLY TERMINATING HIS MANEUVERS AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE THROUGHOUT THE DEMONSTRATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5333N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5333N-1994-08-10), registration cancelled 1994-08-10, S/N 1015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROTEK PITTS S2S
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S2S](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s2s) (registry code 0110202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1015
- Airframe hours: 669
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Sears, Robert A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1988, 9 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 828 total, 7 in this make and model, 723 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP, 20 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880529016289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880529016289A), May 29, 1988: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS2S, El Paso, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pulled out of dive too late. Hit ground hard and stopped submerged in a lake. Was performing acrobatics at air show

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.